NOAA implements real-time systems for the collection and dissemination of environmental data in domestic Ports and Harbors. The Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) installed in the Delaware River and Bay became fully operational in 2002.

The Delaware River and Bay PORTS integrates real-time current profile, water level, wind, meteorological and water quality data taken from 11 sites along the river between Trenton, NJ and Lewes, DE. Data are telemetered to two PORTS display base stations, located in Philadelphia and Cape Henlopen, DE.

The Woods Hole Group was responsible for installation of 3 Acoustic Doppler Profilers (ADP), including laying subsea cables, which provide power and data telemetry to the instruments. Woods Hole Group is also responsible for the maintenance of eleven water level stations, eight meteorological stations, and conductivity/temperature sensors that are installed near water level stations for water characteristic assessment.

Woods Hole Group maintenance responsibilities include daily monitoring of PORTS display information for QA purposes, monthly service visits to the water level and meteorological stations, and quarterly service visit to each of the ADP stations.

In addition, Woods Hole Group is responsible for providing monthly system status reports, and is on call for any required emergency service visits in order to ensure the best possible data

Real-time data collected by the Delaware River and Bay PORTS are available to the public at:

http://co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/dbports/dbpicsqif.html